Utah: What Hunters Should Know for 2022 Deer and Elk Hunts

SALT LAKE CITY — Several years of ongoing drought conditions have impacted mule deer populations across the state. Here are a few things people hunting deer and elk in Utah this fall should know.

Drought impacts deer by decreasing their body fat (because there are fewer plants and available food sources on the landscape). If the does have poor body fat and nutrition, it leads to smaller fawns, and those fawns have a decreased chance of surviving. If an adult deer has too little body fat at the beginning of the winter — especially a severe winter — it will often not survive the winter months. Recent deer research, conducted in Utah, has shown that the amount of fat deer have going into the winter has more of an impact on their likelihood to survive than the conditions and severity of the winter itself.

Drought conditions have persisted for several years in Utah, and long-term drought-related impacts to Utah’s deer and elk populations are still lingering. However, monsoon rains last fall and again this summer have improved vegetative conditions, especially at higher elevations, and deer appear to be in good body condition.

“We still need a few more years with favorable weather patterns to help us fully recover from drought and increase deer numbers,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Big Game Coordinator Dax Mangus said. “Elk populations are more stable, but could also benefit from increased precipitation and better forage on the landscape.” Read more

Hunting

10 Mind-blowing Big Game Entries 

With some hunting seasons underway and others right around the corner, your head should be in the game by now. If not, then let us help with some of the top trophies of the 31st and upcoming 32nd Awards periods for Boone and Crockett. If this doesn’t get your blood pumping, then you should really check your pulse.

NEW COUNTY RECORD

Dana Haff connected with this great buck at 12 yards in . It’s the new record in Cayuga County, New York.

See All 10 Field Photos

Hunting

Enter to Win a SIG-Sauer P229 from Galco

Galco Holsters has partnered with SIG-Sauer and AR500 Armor for the ultimate prize giveaway! One lucky winner will receive:

SIG-Sauer P229 Legion RXP

The proven P229 design, chambered in 9mm, is combined with ROMEO1PRO slide-mounted optic and the SRT (Short-Reset Trigger) to make an eminently reliable and shootable pistol.

SIG-Sauer Elite Performance ammunition
A full 1000 rounds of SIG’s 124-grain FMJ 9mm ammo gives the winner plenty of trigger time with their new pistol.

AR500 body armor bundle

The premium-grade Testudo plate carrier in MultiCam is mated with a Battle Belt and almost every conceivable accessory, from a dump pouch to magazine carriers.

$800 Galco Holsters gift card
With options ranging from Kydex belt holsters to deep-concealment IWBs, including our flagship shoulder systems, the winner can outfit themselves with a complete wardrobe of holsters.

That’s a prize with a combined value of over $4,300!

https://bit.ly/GalcoP229GAW

Firearms

Smith & Wesson Introduces New Model 350

SPRINGFIELD, MA. – Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select: SWBI), a leader in firearm manufacturing and design, introduces the new Model 350, our first production revolver chambered in the powerful straight-walled 350 Legend caliber.

The Smith & Wesson Model 350TM is an X-Frame size, double-action/single action revolver with an all stainless-steel construction. Its design includes a 7.5” ported barrel, red ramp front sight & adjustable rear sight system, and dependable Hogue® rubber grip. This revolver has a 7-round capacity and a cylinder that utilizes moon clips for loading and unloading. For those of you who like to hunt, or carry a large frame revolver in the woods, this is an exciting addition in the X-Frame offering from Smith & Wesson. “The 350 Legend is one of the flattest shooting straight-walled cartridges on the market today. It is great for medium-sized game and especially whitetail hunting. If you’re looking for a hunting revolver, the Model 350 is it,” said John Myles, Senior Manager of New Products.

Well known for building some of the most powerful revolvers of all time, Smith & Wesson is proud to bring you the Model 350, chambered in 350 Legend. The MSRP for this revolver is $1,599.00. Read more

Firearms

The New CZ-USA 600 Alpha Rifle

Kansas City, KS – The 600 Alpha is part of the exciting new CZ-USA 600 series rifle family. The Alpha combines the best characteristics of this new generation of rifles into a do-it-all gun, delivering sub-MOA accuracy at a budget-friendly price! With a choice of popular cartridges and high-performance features, the Alpha meets every shooter’s needs for hunting or competition and everything in between.

The Alpha’s sleek black, fiber-reinforced stock is optimized for more modern technical shooting styles with a parallel comb, symmetrical geometry, and a vertical grip. Serrated soft-touch inserts are located in multiple grip zones throughout the stock and are much appreciated when conditions are less than ideal.

A cold hammer-forged semi-heavy contour barrel delivers guaranteed sub-MOA with various loads. The barrels are threaded and suppressor-ready. Barrels range from 18 to 24 inches depending on the cartridge and feature a tough-as-nails nitride finish for unsurpassed corrosion resistance in the field. Read more

Firearms

HK VP9-OR Pistol Recommended by NTOA

Heckler and Koch is pleased to announce the Members of National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) have tested the HK VP9-OR pistol and given it a prestigious gold recommendation. This rating is part of NTOA’s Member Tested and Recommended program.

NTOA members tested and reviewed the VP9-OR, rating in 13 different categories, including Design, Performance, Ease of Use, Size, Quality, Durability, Storage, Versatility, Convenience, Application, Comfort, Accuracy, and Cleaning & Maintenance. To be recommended, products must score at least above average (3.0) in all categories. The VP9-OR far exceeded this threshold with a composite score of 4.7, earning a gold recommendation – the highest level possible.

The NTOA is a respected leader in the law enforcement community and these recommendations showcase the potential of a product’s usability for all end users, law enforcement or otherwise.

“We are absolutely thrilled to receive this recommendation from the NTOA,” LE sales manager Jason Whitten said. “As a company, we’ve had tremendous success with the VP9, and this validation from such a respected organization is yet another great chapter in the story of the VP9.”

The VP9 family of striker-fired polymer pistols is HK’s most popular pistol in the United States and with Law Enforcement. The VPs are known for their class-leading ergonomics, reliability, durability, and shootability. HK upgraded the VP series in 2020 with the introduction of increased capacity magazines and optics-ready models. Combined, these features were critical to the NTOA’s Gold rating. Read more

Firearms

Winchester 300 Blackout Power-Point Ammunition Shipping Now

EAST ALTON, IL — Winchester announces that it is now shipping one of its most versatile bullets, Power-Point®, in 300 AAC Blackout.

As one of the most popular cartridges for sport shooters, 300 Blackout, as it is commonly called, continues to be an excellent option for hunters targeting hogs, deer and even black bears. This 150-grain bullet hits hard and expands well. The offering provides substantial advantages for both novice and experienced sportsmen and sportswomen alike.

The Power-Point bullet is a traditional cup and core bullet that expands reliably and has been effectively used by hunters for decades. It also is a simple and more cost-effective design, which is attractive to high-volume hog hunters or those who want to get in plenty of practice at the range without breaking the bank. Read more

Ammunition

Michigan DNR dedicates Ronald A. Olson Island Bridge, a tribute to longtime parks and recreation chief

A 142-foot-long bridge installed last fall over the Tahquamenon River just got an important addition: a name. Friends, family, Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials and other colleagues gathered Monday morning at the Lower Tahquamenon Falls to dedicate the Ronald A. Olson Island Bridge, honoring the man at the helm of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division as chief for 17 years.

The fabricated, all-aluminum pedestrian bridge at Tahquamenon Falls State Park, located in Paradise in the eastern Upper Peninsula, officially opened for use over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The bridge itself is an apt symbol for Olson, who has built a career around bringing people together and encouraging them to aim for destinations they can’t yet see.

“When it comes to possibilities in parks and recreation, nobody is better at building bridges and getting people to the table than Ron Olson,” said DNR Director Dan Eichinger.

“Ron lives and breathes Michigan state parks, trails and waterways, and he will talk – and listen – to anyone, anywhere about ways to protect and improve these treasured resources so that every resident and visitor can enjoy them and be inspired to love them as much as he does,” Eichinger said. “I am proud to be here today and share in this much-deserved celebration of Ron’s remarkable contributions.”

The bridge’s installed naming plaque reads: “Ronald A. Olson Island Bridge. In honor of his dedication, hard work and accomplishments with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division.” Read more

General

Michigan conservation officer, Monroe firefighter recognized for water rescue of stranded teenager

The fast-thinking actions of Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officer Nick Ingersoll and Monroe Charter Township Fire Department Capt. Dave Nadeau earlier this year are credited with saving the life of a 14-year-old boy who was stranded in cold water at the Dunbar Quarry.

The two men received Lifesaving Awards from the DNR Law Enforcement Division during Thursday’s meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, hosted at the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit.

“On behalf of the department, I am proud to recognize CO Ingersoll and Capt. Nadeau for their quick assessment of the situation, which required them to risk their own safety to save another,” said Chief Dave Shaw, DNR Law Enforcement Division. “We are grateful for the teamwork with the Monroe Charter Township Fire Department, Michigan State Police and other responding agencies that turned this into a successful lifesaving effort.”

The rescue happened Thursday, May 19, after Ingersoll heard a dispatch call about a person who was yelling “Help!” at the Dunbar Quarry – the local name for a deep portion of Lake Monroe (a private lake), located near East Dunbar Road and Hull Road in Monroe County.

Within five minutes, Ingersoll met emergency responders from Monroe Charter Township Fire Department and Michigan State Police trooper Mitchell Lehman, who were already on scene. Capt. Nadeau attempted to toss a throw rope to the boy, who was clinging to a rock cliff and displaying early signs of hypothermia. Read more

General

ScentLok Hydrotherm V2 Waterproof Parka and Bib

New for 2022: ScentLok Hydrotherm V2 Waterproof Parka and Bib deliver versatile protection and critical comfort to late-season bowhunters

When the rut kicks in and mature buck activity ramps up, Mother Nature often starts to take sides. She’s rarely in the hunter’s corner. Instead, she whips up cold temperatures, wind, rain, ice and snow – elements that send many hunters down the ladder and back home or even keep them there in the first place. Yes, bowhunting success requires preparation. Ultimately, however, it requires showing up; shot opportunities come from being on stand and ready.

“Warm” and “dry” are the two most important words to bowhunters facing challenging late-season conditions. Achieve both and hunters put themselves in a position to succeed. Sitting longer – especially during the rut – means more opportunities.

Designers and distributors of proven-deadly apparel solutions for bowhunters for 30 years, ScentLok offers comfortable, tech-laden scent-control clothing options that give archers and other hunters every advantage. New for 2022, the improved ScentLok Hydrotherm V2 Waterproof Parka and Bib effectively defy the late-season elements that send unprepared hunters home. Read more

Hunting
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